A great quote in the story comes from Dave Levinthal of the Center for Responsive Politics, which keeps tabs on campaign spending.

“The Democrats brought a bat, and the Republicans brought a grenade. If you think spending is out of control by outside groups, it likely will blow your mind in the presidential election.”

He’s talking about what to expect in 2012, and if these mid-terms were only a harbinger of what’s to come, it does make you cringe.

Additional money could be used to fuel the positive sides of campaigns, such as advertisements touting a candidate’s virtues, and paying for those earnest canvassers who want to get you to promise to vote for their candidate.

But let’s not be naive. Odds are, such resources very much would be dedicated to the stark attack ads that, as much as we all hate to admit it, are effective.

I say it worked! Now maybe we can get a grip on the truth and what the Americans really want from Washington. The libs had their day in the election of 08 and got more than they expected from Obama. Obama said what he intended to do,but the voters were so caught up in his hype and all that Change…….now that’s all they have is ‘change’. The amount of monies the left bestowed upon the two time Junior Senator………….wasn’t exactly small ‘CHANGE’. The play book of ‘Saul Alinsky’s RULE FOR RADICALS………..that Obama and his followers used during the 08 and 10 elections has been read and will be used in reverse…………with a few tweaks this time………..and if the voters don’t pay attention…….well I digress.

Anonymous

I say it worked! Now maybe we can get a grip on the truth and what the Americans really want from Washington. The libs had their day in the election of 08 and got more than they expected from Obama. Obama said what he intended to do,but the voters were so caught up in his hype and all that Change…….now that’s all they have is ‘change’. The amount of monies the left bestowed upon the two time Junior Senator………….wasn’t exactly small ‘CHANGE’. The play book of ‘Saul Alinsky’s RULE FOR RADICALS………..that Obama and his followers used during the 08 and 10 elections has been read and will be used in reverse…………with a few tweaks this time………..and if the voters don’t pay attention…….well I digress.

Mark Larson

Funny because the NY Times ran a story about how the Democracts and their allies spent far more many tha the Republicans and their allies . . .

Mark Larson

Funny because the NY Times ran a story about how the Democracts and their allies spent far more many tha the Republicans and their allies . . .

Mark Larson

Funny because the NY Times ran a story about how the Democracts and their allies spent far more many tha the Republicans and their allies . . .

Anonymous

A good observation, Mark. But while the NYT story does say Democratic candidates outspent Republican candidates, $119 to $79 million. However, the story goes on to say that:

“Republican-leaning third-party groups, however, many of them financed by large, unrestricted donations that are not publicly disclosed, have swarmed into the breach, pouring more than $60 million into competitive races since July, about 80 percent more than the Democratic-leaning groups have reported spending.”

A good observation, Mark. But while the NYT story does say Democratic candidates outspent Republican candidates, $119 to $79 million. However, the story goes on to say that:

“Republican-leaning third-party groups, however, many of them financed by large, unrestricted donations that are not publicly disclosed, have swarmed into the breach, pouring more than $60 million into competitive races since July, about 80 percent more than the Democratic-leaning groups have reported spending.”

A good observation, Mark. But while the NYT story does say Democratic candidates outspent Republican candidates, $119 to $79 million. However, the story goes on to say that:

“Republican-leaning third-party groups, however, many of them financed by large, unrestricted donations that are not publicly disclosed, have swarmed into the breach, pouring more than $60 million into competitive races since July, about 80 percent more than the Democratic-leaning groups have reported spending.”

Okay…….this has been really eating at me since before the election…….I was just listening to talk radio and the subject of Obama’s trip to India came up. This made me think about this article……and I’m thinking here we are reading some nonsense about how the repubs out spent the libs by 2-1 during the election and blah, blah, blah! So would someone explain why is the President is spending TWO BILLION tax payer dollars on this trip…………rumor has it that he wants to see the Festival of Lights………..what….not buying that. This man has no clue! Or more likely based on how he thinks of the Americans in general, just doesn’t give a blank about what we think. This is out rages on every level…now one might say there’s the political issue with trade and other things…………I won’t go into that …rest assured I’ve looked into all sides and reasoning on this. This boggles the mind……..34 war ships and three thousand little soldiers in toe and on and on. How dare he continue to act like he’s King of the United States instead of the President. There’s something much more going on here………..! TWO BILLION DOLLARS………..TWO BILLION……….just wrap your brain around that……..has anyone heard of Go To Meeting dot.com??? We’re supposed to tighten our belts because it’s ‘BUSH’S fault and this is rich condidering the unemployment stats come out and gee they’re ALWAYS………..HIGHER THAN EXPECTED! This is insane for lack of a better word…yes INSANE!! He’s spent the last two years barking on and on about how he THE ONE knows what’s best and literlly gets smeared in the mid terms as a rebuke to his crazy policies and ‘oh well, let them eat dirt’. Ever heard of leading by example Mr. President?? TWO BILLION DOLLARS and what do ya want to bet that isn’t the real cost of this LITTLE jaunt. TWO BILLION where’s the outrage from the left? Don’t you have bills to pay and kids to put through school, food on the table just like the rest of America? Sorry about repeating the TWO BILLION dollar thing over and over, but this is just wrong. Anyone have know something ……………..about the why’s of this nonsense???? TWO BILLION DOLLARS………….I’m waiting……………..

Anonymous

Okay…….this has been really eating at me since before the election…….I was just listening to talk radio and the subject of Obama’s trip to India came up. This made me think about this article……and I’m thinking here we are reading some nonsense about how the repubs out spent the libs by 2-1 during the election and blah, blah, blah! So would someone explain why is the President is spending TWO BILLION tax payer dollars on this trip…………rumor has it that he wants to see the Festival of Lights………..what….not buying that. This man has no clue! Or more likely based on how he thinks of the Americans in general, just doesn’t give a blank about what we think. This is out rages on every level…now one might say there’s the political issue with trade and other things…………I won’t go into that …rest assured I’ve looked into all sides and reasoning on this. This boggles the mind……..34 war ships and three thousand little soldiers in toe and on and on. How dare he continue to act like he’s King of the United States instead of the President. There’s something much more going on here………..! TWO BILLION DOLLARS………..TWO BILLION……….just wrap your brain around that……..has anyone heard of Go To Meeting dot.com??? We’re supposed to tighten our belts because it’s ‘BUSH’S fault and this is rich condidering the unemployment stats come out and gee they’re ALWAYS………..HIGHER THAN EXPECTED! This is insane for lack of a better word…yes INSANE!! He’s spent the last two years barking on and on about how he THE ONE knows what’s best and literlly gets smeared in the mid terms as a rebuke to his crazy policies and ‘oh well, let them eat dirt’. Ever heard of leading by example Mr. President?? TWO BILLION DOLLARS and what do ya want to bet that isn’t the real cost of this LITTLE jaunt. TWO BILLION where’s the outrage from the left? Don’t you have bills to pay and kids to put through school, food on the table just like the rest of America? Sorry about repeating the TWO BILLION dollar thing over and over, but this is just wrong. Anyone have know something ……………..about the why’s of this nonsense???? TWO BILLION DOLLARS………….I’m waiting……………..

Anonymous

Okay…….this has been really eating at me since before the election…….I was just listening to talk radio and the subject of Obama’s trip to India came up. This made me think about this article……and I’m thinking here we are reading some nonsense about how the repubs out spent the libs by 2-1 during the election and blah, blah, blah! So would someone explain why is the President is spending TWO BILLION tax payer dollars on this trip…………rumor has it that he wants to see the Festival of Lights………..what….not buying that. This man has no clue! Or more likely based on how he thinks of the Americans in general, just doesn’t give a blank about what we think. This is out rages on every level…now one might say there’s the political issue with trade and other things…………I won’t go into that …rest assured I’ve looked into all sides and reasoning on this. This boggles the mind……..34 war ships and three thousand little soldiers in toe and on and on. How dare he continue to act like he’s King of the United States instead of the President. There’s something much more going on here………..! TWO BILLION DOLLARS………..TWO BILLION……….just wrap your brain around that……..has anyone heard of Go To Meeting dot.com??? We’re supposed to tighten our belts because it’s ‘BUSH’S fault and this is rich condidering the unemployment stats come out and gee they’re ALWAYS………..HIGHER THAN EXPECTED! This is insane for lack of a better word…yes INSANE!! He’s spent the last two years barking on and on about how he THE ONE knows what’s best and literlly gets smeared in the mid terms as a rebuke to his crazy policies and ‘oh well, let them eat dirt’. Ever heard of leading by example Mr. President?? TWO BILLION DOLLARS and what do ya want to bet that isn’t the real cost of this LITTLE jaunt. TWO BILLION where’s the outrage from the left? Don’t you have bills to pay and kids to put through school, food on the table just like the rest of America? Sorry about repeating the TWO BILLION dollar thing over and over, but this is just wrong. Anyone have know something ……………..about the why’s of this nonsense???? TWO BILLION DOLLARS………….I’m waiting……………..

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.